Frozen shoulder, or Adhesive Capsulitis, commonly affects adults aged 40-60, with women at higher risk than men. The main symptoms are shoulder pain and stiffness with limited range of motion—difficulty raising, extending, or rotating the arm. In TCM, frozen shoulder results from poor circulation of Qi and blood, with cold and dampness accumulating in the shoulder area.
Acupuncture is effective for frozen shoulder, especially when combined with physical therapy. It helps relieve pain, stimulates blood and lymph circulation, reduces inflammation in tendons and muscles, and improves tendon flexibility. This allows patients to perform shoulder exercises more easily and accelerates recovery.
Acupuncture points for frozen shoulder include local points like Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (TB14), and Jianqian (Extra), plus distal points like Hegu (LI4) on the hand and Zhongping (Extra) on the leg. Electroacupuncture may be used to enhance effectiveness, providing faster pain relief than manual acupuncture alone.
Frozen shoulder progresses through three stages: Freezing (painful), Frozen (stiff), and Thawing (recovery), taking 1-3 years without treatment. Acupuncture can shorten recovery time and relieve pain in all stages. A typical treatment course is 4-6 weeks with 2-4 sessions per week.
Beyond acupuncture, patients should perform gentle shoulder stretches as advised by their practitioner, avoid overusing the affected arm, apply warm compresses to relax muscles, and adjust sleeping positions to avoid pressure on the shoulder. This integrated approach leads to faster recovery.